By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
Welcome to the second part of The Lake Orion Review’s 2014 looking back.
In the second half of 2014, we would finally say goodbye to a long period of inclement weather, with an end to the cold spring and the cleanup after Evergreen Storm that brought damaging winds to the area.
It’s now July and time to enjoy the area’s lakes, festivals and enjoy the community where living is a vacation.
July
They do it again.
WW2 veteran Robbie Robinson, a 92-year-old resident of Dollar Bay on Lake Orion, and Lake Orion resident Al Crier acting as ‘Uncle Sam? round up 38 bay residents to organize the second annual Fourth of July Sing-A-Long on Dollar Bay.
Over 1,200 people in 125 boats participate in the sing-a-long on July 4, after 25 volunteers paddle around handing out song sheets.
Lake Orion residents Barry and Kathy McMinn, Charlie Frady and Pat O’Dea lead singers in God Bless America and other patriotic hits to ring in the celebrations.
Six-foot tall speakers are ushered in along with microphones and other sound equipment to ensure that singers could be heard even beyond Bellevue Island.
Boaters silence their radios at 3 p.m. to join in the festivities, which conclude in a moment of silence to remember past heroes.
The event would not have been possible without the relentless help of its volunteers, Crier says, who went door to door informing residents, cleaned up all the litter, and rallied singers to join in.
‘I’m so tickled pink again, the volunteers have come out of the woodwork. I just sit back and let it happen. This year it was just unbelievable,? Crier said.
The Lake Orion Education Association and the Lake Orion Board of Education agree on a three-year contract for teachers, that was praised by administration and teacher union officials for its cooperative nature.
There are about 446 teachers in the district and all felt an economic impact. In the first year, there are no pay raises for teachers on a step-scale and reductions for some veteran teachers and coaches. In the second year and third years, a freeze will be lifted and pay for veteran teachers and coaches will go back up.
The move is expected to save the district nearly $700,000.
The Lake Orion School Board also announced that its budget will be balanced for the first time since 2012.
Total revenues are expected to be more than $79.57 million while expenditures are targeted at $79.48 million.
Fireworks boomed and thrilled thousands who sat and watched the annual fireworks display over Lake Orion. For the first time, the fireworks were set off in Orion Township, on the west side of the lake.
The organizers moved the fireworks from the village side after some disagreements and requests by village officials to help pay for police overtime and cleanup.
The Lake Orion Fireworks Association also brought The Grand Princess to Lake Orion for several days to take veterans and others on tours of the lake leading up to the fireworks show. The boat held 180 lucky sightseers on the night of the fireworks.
The North Oakland Transportation Authority announced plans to ask voters to approve a .25 millage on the August 5 primary ballot.
NOTA is a transportation service for seniors, disabled and low income residents of Orion, Oxford and Addison townships. They provide door-to-door service for fees of $1 or $2 each way within northern Oakland County.
NOTA is no longer able to apply for some of the federal grants it received in the past. The request will be for a five-year millage to compensate for the grant losses.
A tax abatement will help Fuyao Automotive, located in Orion Township, to hire 100 local residents. The company is in the midst of a $15.3 million upgrade to its plant, on Silverbell Rd.
The six-year abatement was approved by the Orion Township board of trustees. The abatement will be for 50 percent of property improvements.
The company, in Orion since 2008, makes automotive glass for Chrysler, General Motors, Ford, Kia, Hundai, and Honda.
Lake Orion optometrist Dr. Robert Deck was convicted of indecent exposure and placed on 12 months probation.
According to the arrest report from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, a 33-year-old Orion Township woman told police that Deck requested for her to come to his private office at his optometry clinic after she received new contacts. While in his office, the woman said Deck masturbated in front of her.
The woman recorded the audio of the encounter on her I-phone, which was given to police.
Orion Township has purchased Camp Agawam for $1.025 million. The camp was purchased from the Michigan Crossroads Council. The former boy scout camp may still be enjoyed by the scouts under an agreement for three weekends during the school year and two other specific weekends for cub scout programs,
The plan is for the area to be used as a state park, with rental facilities and also uses for community organizations, such as church groups and girl scouts.
August
Detroit Tiger great Miguel Cabrera came to Lake Orion High School again to participate in a camp to teach children the skills necessary in baseball. The event was part of ProCamps Worldwide program of sporting camps which feature professional athletes.
Cabrera spent the day interacting with the campers, helping them with drills and giving pointers during game play.
Orion Township won one and lost one. The township won millage approval to hire addition personnel at its fire station but lost its bid for a second millage to buy equipment.
As a result, officials said they listed to voters and opted to place a lower millage question for equipment on the November ballot. They will now ask for .06 of a mill instead of the full mill that was being sought on the August ballot. Officials cited a desperate need for a new aerial truck as well as other equipment.
Voters approved the .25 millage request by NOTA and there will be no reduction in service or cost increases. Voters in Orion and Oxford approved the millage while voters in Addison nearly defeated it.
NOTA is a transportation service for seniors, disabled and low income residents of Orion, Oxford and Addison townships. They provide door-to-door service for fees of $1 or $2 each way within northern Oakland County.
An Orion Township man, Tom Bailey, boasts of owning the fastest street car in America. Bailey and his 1969 Camaro can run a quarter mile in about six seconds, which is 220 miles per hour.
Hot Rod Magazine bestowed the honor of being the fastest street-legal car in America on Bailey and his car after they won the annual Hot Rod Drag Week championship in 2013.
The car, which can reach 100 mph in only one second, has a 615-cubic inch big block Chevrolet with twin 94mm turbochargers.
A domestic assault led to a suicide by a man at this home in the 200 block of Bellevue Avenue. The 42-year-old man shot himself after he first threatened his girlfriend.
Rising property values in the Village of Lake Orion allowed village officials to approve a 2.5 percent pay increase for non-union employees. The increase followed a 2.7 percent increase on taxable values of property in the village.
The Lake Orion Horseshoe Club hosted the Michigan State Doubles Tournament for the second year at Green’s Park. A total of 62 pitchers, making up 31 teams came to town to enjoy the beauty of Lake Orion.
Dragons and dragon-lovers from near and far came to Lake Orion to enjoy the sixth annual Dragon on the Lake festivities. There were races on land and water, charity casino fun, sidewalk chalk drawings, food and opportunities to imbibe in the Dragon Pub beer tent. The event was the largest yet.
A total of 27 teams participated in the dragon boat races on Lake Orion. Twenty six of those teams succumbed again to the Island Bombers, who won for the fourth consecutive year.
This year’s event also featured a wedding on the shores of Lake Orion by two participants in the dragon boat races. Newlyweds Donna and Dennis Miller said their vows on the shore before taking to their boat.
The couple planned to be married but Donna surprised her groom with the wedding on the beach in front of their friends and family, who were aware of the plans.
September
Orion Township is leading northern Oakland County in new building permits. Since January, there were 125 new permits. The majority of new permits are for homes in the southeast quadrant of the township.
One of the newer projects is Stonegate South, a community of about 140 homes, a majority of which are being built by Pulte Homes.
School is back in session with Lake Orion children returning to their classrooms after a summer that was cut a little short by the making up of snow days lost during the cold and snowy winter.
Teacher retirements and others moving elsewhere, means the district will hire 29 new teachers this year. It also means that at least seven of the 11 teachers laid off last school year have been called back to work.
Some on-target budget projects could make it possible for Orion Township to have a balanced budget for 2015. With three fund accounts ? water and sewer, taxes and general fund, the township looks to start 2015 with a surplus and minimal deficits by department.
The board has until December 31 to set the budget.
A win over Troy improved Lake Orion’s varsity football record to 2-1 in the OAA Red Division. The annual downtown homecoming parade brought hundreds to village streets to enjoy the festivities.
The Lake Orion girl’s golf team is ranked number one in Michigan in Division 1 following its early season success.
October
A 35-year-old Orion Township man was convicted in Oakland Circuit Court for first degree criminal sexual conduct in the assault on a seven year old girl. Matthew R. McBee was convicted in the assault on the girl on Sherry Street. McBee was the live-in boyfriend of the girl’s mother.
Grant Johnson and Cheyenne Sloan were named homecoming king and queen of the annual Lake Orion homecoming festivities. The Dragon football team didn’t fare very well, losing to West Bloomfield, 39-0, in the annual game.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra captivated Lake Orion during a concert at the high school. The DSO came here as part of its cultural enrichment program. The program, DSO in Your Community, chose Lake Orion as one of four sites in Michigan.
Lake Orion school officials placed the school’s name into the contest and many letters and community support led to the honor.
There are six village candidates who have applied for five open positions in the Lake Orion Village elections. They six include incumbents, John Ranville, Douglas Hobbs and Shauna Brown.
Orion Township officials are asking voters to support their request for a .06 millage increase. The funds would be used to buy necessary equipment, including a new fire platform aerial truck and other necessary equipment to help firefighters.
The Orion Township Planning Commission recommended denial of a plan by Pulte Homes to construct 360 homes in an area at Bald Mountain Golf Course. A rezoning would be necessary for the contruction.
Lake Orion’s girls? golf team finished second in the state in Division 1. The Dragons lost to East Kentwood High School in the finals. The second place finish was the best ever for any girls golf team at Lake Orion High School.
Lake Orion resident taxidermist Glenn Bartoni was chosen by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to mount a cougar that had been shot illegally in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Bartoni, who owns Sportsman’s Taxidermy, mounted the male cougar in a life size form. The cat will be on display at the Newberry office of the DNR.
November

The Orion Township Board upheld the township planning commission’s recommendation to deny Pulte Homes plan to construct 360 homes at the Bald Mountain Golf Course. The board cited density impact and traffic buildup as the main issues.
Township Supervisor Chris Barnett cast the only vote for the project, saying Pulte followed all township ordinances in its effort to secure a Planned Unit Development.
Lake Orion’s marching band finished fourth in the state in annual competition held at Ford Field in Detroit. The band finished less than half a point from second place. The band then traveled to Indianapolis to compete in Bands of America competition.
Voters approved two millages in the November election. The first was for 20.25 mills for Lake Orion Schools. The millage was a ten-year renewal of the non-homestead tax. It will be placed on all non-homestead property, which includes commercial, industrial and some agricultural properties as well as second homes.
Voters also approved a .6 mill increase for five years for the Orion Fire Department for capital and equipment purchases. Voters had denied a millage request in August for one mill for the capital and equipment purchases. Following the defeat, township officials modified their request to .6 of a mill.
Funds will be used to buy an aerial platform fire truck, an ambulance, and for equipment for new firefighters recently hired.
Public discussion began on an Orion Township initiative to look into the possibility of an ordinance to have a single waste hauler for garbage pickup. The board cited traffic issues and road wear as two of the reasons. There are 92 trucks belonging to 12 companies that are licensed to pick up refuse in Orion Township.
Notre Dame Prep senior and Lake Orion resident Katherine Carlson was named Michigan’s Miss Volleyball. The honor goes to the top high school volleyball player in the state.
Local veterans honored those who have fallen and served our country at annual Veterans Day ceremonies. The event at the Orion Senior Center included posting of the colors, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, placing of a wreath and a minuteman salute.
General Motors announced investment of $160 million in the Orion Assembly Plant. The investment will be for new tooling and equipment for an as-yet-unannounced new vehicle program. The plant currently assembles the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano.
A clerk at the Kroger supermarket in Lake Orion was found dead along with his seven-month old daughter. The man, Daryne Gailey and daughter Charley, were found dead in Gailey’s Oxford Township home. Gailey was found dead with his throat slashed and his daughter was found in a crib and died from head trauma.
Gailey was a popular clerk at the Kroger store, and suffered from learning disabilities. Initially police were unsure of the circumstances surround the deaths. Gailey’s mother was also found in the house when police entered while checking on Gailey’s welfare. She had attempted suicide police said.

December

Lake Orion’s Goodfellows again took to the streets to raise money for families in need this holiday season. It is the 47th year the men and women of the organization, comprised of Orion firefighters, have raised money to help provide a happy Christmas to the area’s needy.
Orion Township residents packed the township hall to voice their opposition to the township’s consideration to an ordinance that would mandate only one waste hauler in the township.
Residents told township officials in no uncertain terms that they did not want a single waste hauler and wanted to choose who picked up their garbage. Any possible ordinance was to be considered in early January 2015. There are 12 different companies licensed to pick up refuse in the township. Officials cited traffic concerns and road deterioration caused by the trucks for their reasons to consider only onw waste hauler.
Lake Orion artist Kimberly Santini was named the artist for the Kentucky Derby’s ‘Art of the Kentucky Derby Series? for her paintings depicting racing at the famed track.
The honor gives Santini the opportunity to attend the 141st Annual Kentucky Derby in May 2015 as the event’s official artist. Her paintings can be found at the Kentucky derby website.
Sylvia M. Majewski was charged with first degree murder for the killing of her son, Daryne Gailey and his infant daughter, Charley.
Gailey, a popular clerk at the Kroger’s in Lake Orion, was found with his throat slashed earlier in December at his Oxford Township home. His daughter was found with blunt force trauma to her head in the home. Majewski was in the home when police went there to check on Gailey’s welfare. Her wrists were slashed in what police said was an attempted suicide.
Police said they believe that Majewski killed her son and granddaughter. She was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation to determine if she will be charged in court.
The downtown Christmas parade in Lake Orion was a rousing success and is now recognized as the largest lighted parade in Michigan. Dozens of floats and other displays wowed the cold families who came to watch the 90-minute parade. This year’s theme was Frozen, from the Disney movie.
Dozens of area children and their families had the opportunity to make 2014 a memorable Christmas in annual ‘Shop with a Hero? events.
Police officers, firefighters, military personnel and members of the FBI teamed up with Meijer, Target and others to escort youngsters through stores to help them purchase Christmas presents.
Lockhart’s Barbeque of Royal Oak will soon also be known as Lockhart’s Barbeque of Lake Orion as the restaurant signed the paperwork to purchase the old Village Hall on Flint Street in preparation to open a new restaurant.